Sermons on Greg Smith:

Playing The Fool Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Apr 1, 2001

Words do hurt when they come from our unresolved anger. That anger is about our own issues, it requires accountability when it hurts others, it separates us from God when it is deliberate. Reconciliation is a priority.

Words have power. The things we say to one another have power. Kids may deal with smart-mouths in the schoolyard by chanting, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but names will never hurt me.” But that’s rubbish! Don’t you believe it. Names do hurt. Words hurt. The things we say to each ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 5:21-24

Denomination: Baptist

Crisis: Dangerous Opportunity

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Apr 14, 2001

Jesus precipitated a crisis for others around Him: for Judas, for the disciples, for Peter. Their reactions are like ours -- confused -- but Jesus knows who He is in the midst of the crisis.

I’m sure that you have heard many times now that the Chinese character that is usually translated by the English word “crisis” is actually made up of two components – one character that means “dangerous” and the other that means “opportunity.” Put “dangerous” and “opportunity” together, and you ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 26:14-46

Denomination: Baptist

Living Beyond Fear

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Apr 14, 2001

There are two sources for fear: when we are caught up in something we did not count on, and when we are not in control. There are two ways in which living in Christ helps us live beyond our fears: knowing that He is completely trustworthy, and doing as He calls us to do.

Did anything frighten you this morning? Did you feel any kind of fear? Before you answer “No” too quickly, consider that we cannot live without fear. We cannot live without fear. You do not want to get rid of fear entirely. You must be afraid of some things, or else you will be in trouble. ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 28:1-20

Denomination: Baptist

24 Karat

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Apr 22, 2001

For our Remembrance Sunday, when we honor the memories of those members who died since Easter a year ago. God refines each life so it is prepared to receive something imperishable, undefiled, and unfading.

There have been hints of late that something shiny would be nice. No outright demands, you understand, and no whining. Just a hint that as our wedding anniversary approaches, a little chip of something shiny might be appreciated. Now fortunately we are not yet at the fiftieth year, so it will ...read more

Scripture: 1 Peter 1:3-9

Denomination: Baptist

Everything Is Failing, But Nothing Has Failed

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 5, 2001

Sermon for Senior Adult Sunday; Joshua’s "retirement speech" identifies his sense of God’s promises kept and focuses on claiming the future for the next generation.

Are you a little tired of all the pious platitudes about failure? You know, the folks who tell you that failure is a good thing because you will grow from failure and you will be a better person? I am a little tired of that. I do not want to grow from failure. I want to be a success. I do not ...read more

Scripture: Joshua 23:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

Jump-Starting Jabez

Contributed by Joseph Smith on May 13, 2001

We have learned, thanks to Bruce Wilkinson’s writings, to treasure the prayer of Jabez; but what can we intuit that Jabez’ mother did for him: she honored his uniqueness, she owned her own pain and shared it with her son, and she move him toward faithful prayer.

You know how they say that behind every good man there is a good woman? Well, they used to say that. That is a pre-feminist proverb. Now they say that alongside every good man there is a good woman, like Newton’s Law, equal in force but opposite in direction! But I certainly find it true that ...read more

Scripture: 1 Chronicles 4:9-10

Denomination: Baptist

The Power Of A Wind-Driven Fire

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jun 5, 2001

The Spirit comes to the church as fire, passion, energy, but He comes as energy to follow the Lord’s directions, not merely as excess motion.

My grandfather’s workshop held an item that was of special interest to me when I was a boy. Sitting off to the side of his cluttered workbench was a wonderful object – a model railroad locomotive. It was black with silver markings painted on it, dusty and dull by now, but obviously once shiny and ...read more

Scripture: Acts 2:1-11

Denomination: Baptist

Time

Contributed by David Smith on Jun 7, 2001

Addresses the need to live every moment in God’s plan not our own.

TIME Ps 90:12 So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. A- God has a plan / Time does not affect our God - Eternal 1- He has a plan for mankind - redemption - immortality / destruction - second death Rom 2:6-8 Who will render to every man according to his ...read more

Scripture: Psalm 90:12

Denomination: Pentecostal

Grace

Contributed by David Smith on Jun 9, 2001

God’s wonderful gift of grace in the believers life

EPH 2:8-9 GRACE IS UNMERITED 1 - You cant earn it - so stop trying ILLUSTRATION A 100,000 POINTS TO ENTER HEAVEN a- it is God’s gift - Only He can give salvation grace b- working for salvation is pointless and disappointing 2 - no one else can earn it either - so back off a - learn to ...read more

Scripture: Ephesians 2:8-9

Denomination: Pentecostal

Evangelization

Contributed by David Smith on Jun 12, 2001

How to become aware of the harvest field and to realize our personal responsibility to do our part

EVANGELIZING John 4:34-35 Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest. 95 - ...read more

Scripture: John 4:34-35

Denomination: Pentecostal

Time To Go To Egypt

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jun 17, 2001

Fathers today, like Jacob, have been irresponsible; but, like him also, we can see that God is giving us another chance to redeem our relationships with our children, to allow Him to keep His promises, and to use major resources for Kingdom business.

This past Monday was our son-in-law’s birthday. We’ve cared about this young man for a long time, but now he’s even more special. He is our granddaughter Olivia’s father. And that makes him extra special. So we sent Don a birthday card and a little gift, and got an email response. In part, it ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Presenting Arms: Embrace For Life Series

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 1, 2001

Incredible numbers of people are falling, and we have contributed by pushing them to the edge and failing to listen. But at the Lord’s Table we see the embracing arms of Christ and are empowered to lift the fallen and give them life.

Those of you who were in my Vacation Bible School class know what happened – the class was supposed to run from 7:15 until 9:00 each night. At 8:57, what did I say? Something like: I know you have to go, but there are just a couple more points I want to make. And so, at a few minutes after 9, ...read more

Scripture: Acts 20:7-12

Denomination: Baptist

Prayer, Power, Politics, And Plagues

Contributed by Joseph Smith on Jul 1, 2001

Election eve sermon -- there are plagues in the body politic, created by inauthentic leadership; the best gift we can give to our national leadership is prayer, though we will likely see the haughtiness of politicians and smell the stench of plagues again.

He sat on his elegant furniture, in his fabulous house, surrounded by the glories of a wealthy nation, attended by efficient servants, powerful enough to command just about anything. But today he was miserable, miserable beyond words, because everywhere he looked they were there. In his way, ...read more

Scripture: Exodus 8:1-15

Denomination: Baptist

10 Reasons People Do Not Attend Church

Contributed by David Smith on Jul 2, 2001

Some common reasons and excuses people use for not attending church

10 REASONS PEOPLE DO NOT ATTEND CHURCH HEB 10:24-25 1 - TIME work schedules ballgames kids mowing gardening 2 - BORING IRRELEVANT music preaching - cannot relate to it (or the people) 3 - OTHER INTERESTS friends hobbies t.v. ....etc. 4 - GUILT living a sinful life that they love more ...read more

Scripture: Hebrews 10:24-25

Denomination: Pentecostal

Come Out Of The Cave!

Contributed by David Smith on Jul 2, 2001

A challenge to come out of the places we feel safe or hidden and tackle what God has planned for our lives.

Come out of the cave!! 1 Kings 19:9-12 1 - I give up! A - Living For God can make you feel alone - none left but me Lord. 1- right choices with friends (lost friends) 2 - right choices on job (may cost you acceptance) 3 - right choices in world ( may keep you from fitting in) B - God’s plan ...read more

Scripture: 1 Kings 19:9-12

Denomination: Pentecostal